ISTANBUL: President Asif Ali Zardari and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul in wide-ranging talks here Monday agreed to enhance mutli-faceted bilateral ties and finalised a currency swap agreement that will enable traders and businessmen of both countries to do business without drawing on their US dollar-based foreign exchange reserves.

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar told journalist this, adding that the two presidents had underlined the need for further broadening of cooperation through increased connectivityÇ promoting trade, investment and expanding people-to-people contact.

Babar said the two presidents reviewed progress on the implementation of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Trade AgreementÇ Gul Train Service and setting up of technological parks in collaboration with Turkish universities.

The sixth trilateral summit to find a peaceful and everlasting solution to the Afghanistan issue will be held here today (Tuesday). The opening remarks will be made by Turkish President Abdullah Gul, followed by speeches by President Zardari and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

The summit, hosted by Turkish President Abdullah Gul, will also be attended by the interior ministers and army, and intelligence chiefs of the three countries. A high-profile Istanbul Conference on Afghanistan will also be hosted in Istanbul on Wednesday which will be attended by the foreign ministers of 14 neighbouring countries of Afghanistan, top representatives of other countries and international organisations.

President Zardari arrived in Istanbul on Sunday on the invitation of Turkish President Abdullah Gul to participate in the summit. He is being accompanied by Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar and Interior Minister Rehman Malik.